Earlier this week, we focused on the mental health of our kids during Children's Mental Health Awareness Week. But what about when these kids grow up and start working?
The truth is, the seeds of mental health are planted early on, but we need to keep watering them, even in the workplace.
The Link Between Early Mental Health and Adult Life
What we learn about handling stress, emotions, and challenges as kids really matters when we start working. If we're taught to speak up and seek help early on, we'll be more likely to do the same as adults. This is why it's important to keep the conversation going, even after we swap school bags for briefcases.
Why Mental Health in the Workplace Can't Be Ignored
Ignoring mental health at work can lead to big problems:
Less Work Done: If we're struggling mentally, we're not going to be at our best at work.
More Sick Days: When our minds aren't well, we might need to take more time off to get better.
People Leaving Their Jobs: If work feels like it's harming our mental health, we might just decide it's not worth it.
How to Make Work a Better Place for Mental Health
Keep Talking: Just like in school, talking about how we feel at work can make a big difference.
Help Available: Offering things like time off when we're feeling overwhelmed or access to a counsellor can be a big help.
Flexible Working: Sometimes, being able to change our hours or work from home can make work feel less stressful.
Training for Managers: It's really helpful if our bosses know how to support us when we're finding things tough.
What We Can Do Together
It's up to all of us to make sure the workplace is a place where mental health is taken seriously. We learned the basics as kids during Mental Health Awareness Week, but let's not forget those lessons now that we're grown up. By looking out for each other and speaking up when we're struggling, we can make work a better place for everyone's mental health.
Mental health doesn't stop being important when we leave school. By bringing the lessons of Children's Mental Health Awareness Week into the workplace, we can create environments where everyone feels supported, both mentally and emotionally.
It's time to make mental health a priority at work too.